Simona Halep has hired a new coach as she prepares to work with Spanish instructor Carlos Martinez.
The 32-year-old Halep played in her first competition following her doping ban on Tuesday, having won her appeal and received permission to resume tennis earlier this month. Before falling to Paula Badosa 6-1 4-6 3-6 in the opening round in Miami, where she was accompanied by training partner Thiago Monteiro and a physiotherapist, Halep had some encouraging early performances.
After exiting Miami, Halep told the media that Martinez would be her new coach. Martinez has previously coached Daria Kasatkina, Clara Tauson, and two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Halep shared this news and said: “I spoke with Carlos Martinez. I will have a period of preparation, of getting to know each other, so to speak, after Miami, when I will return to Europe. I hope it goes well. I appreciate him very much. He worked with players who I liked, like Svetlana Kuznetsova. I hope we get along and I hope I’m able to work at the level he wants and do good work together.”
Halep was coached by Patrick Mouratoglou before her drug stint. However, the two parted ways after everything that occurred.
The Romanian argued that everything was good between her and her former coach when asked about her relationship with Mouratoglou, who acknowledged unintentionally giving Halep a supplement contaminated with a prohibited chemical.
Halep said in her post-match press conference: “Well, we saw each other two days ago. We said hello to each other. I wish him good luck with Rune. I know they do a good job. But it’s done, so I finished with their work. Yeah, we say hello. I say hello to everyone, so I don’t have, like, hate inside myself. It’s good.”
Simona Halep in 2024
Currently ranked no.578, Simona played her last match on the 19th of March when she was defeated by world no.80 Paula Badosa 1-6 6-4 6-3 in the 1st round in Miami (draw).
At the moment, during this season Halep has achieved an overall 0-1 record.
